Three Months of Waiting

Three Months Down

It certainly has been a crazy month in Ethiopian Adoption. Earlier this month Ethiopia’s MOWA (Ministry of Women’s Affairs) announced they were be downsizing from 50 cases a day to five cases a day. This was not exactly what we were hoping to hear but it we are going with it.

This is the latest release we have from Dove.

According to information provided to Dove's attorney at the March 16, 2011 Network meeting, the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) plans to process the approximately eight hundred (800) files that they currently have in their offices. All families who were assigned a court date prior to March 10, 2011 are expected to be included in this group.

MOWA anticipates completing the review of the approximately eight hundred (800) files in their offices within ten (10) to fifteen (15) days. Dove cautions families to expect delays and a possible revision to this timeline. While we are all hopeful for a quick resolution, an ethical review may take longer than anticipated. As a reminder, MOWA must complete the review of the file and issue the required letter to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) prior to the courts granting custody of a child. Prospective parents who have been assigned a court date should still plan on traveling to Ethiopia to give their testimony on their assigned date.

After completion of the eight hundred (800) files, Ethiopian officials will determine what course of action to take; this may include increasing the number of files processed on a daily basis. For now, families who are adjourned (assigned a court date) on or after March 10, 2011, will likely be processed according to the new, five (5) file per day rule. As this new regulation may cause delays, we also believe that it could result in an even stronger, more ethical process.

We have also been told that a Code of Ethics is being implemented by the Network and several government agencies. On March 16, 2011 all adoption agencies working in Ethiopia approved this code and submitted their revisions to the Ethiopian government. This code will provide additional support to adoption agencies who are working to provide ethical services in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia remains open for adoptions. Dove is continuing to receive referrals for children and adoption files are continuing to be processed in Ethiopia. We do not know, nor can we predict the impact this will ultimately have on adoption cases. This requirement could result in a temporary delay for some files, a minimal delay in future adoptions or a more significant delay. As we continue to obtain information and wait for MOWA to processes current files, we ask that you join us in praying for Ethiopia, the adoption process and everyone involved.

Dan and I agree it may take much longer but our hearts and our child are still in Ethiopia. We are so appreciative of our family and friends that have showed us so much support and love. I can not express how much this has meant to Dan and I. The cards and calls have meant so much. I have saved them all for Miss Grace to read later.

Grace now has a homecoming blanket even if we don’t know when that will be. Terry surprised us by making Grace the most beautiful blanket I have ever seen!!!

Back to tradition – For Three Months my true love and I have decided on a THREE wheel stroller.

Finally, I was half reading and half watching on of our favorite shows How I met your Mother and a scene I have probably watched 100 times when I heard this.

Stella: You know I once talked my way out of a speeding ticket?

Ted: Really?

Stella: I was heading upstate with my parents, I was doing 90 on the country roads. I got pulled over. So this cop, gets out of his car, swaggers over and he says, 'Lady, I've been waiting for you all day.' And I said, 'Sorry Officer, I got here as fast as I could.'

Ted: For real?

Stella: No, it's just a joke. I know that you're tired of waiting. And you may have to wait a little while more but, she's on her way, Ted. And she's getting here as fast as she can.

Great words to live by – I tried to put the clip on the web but my tech skills are not there yet.Everyone is welcome to come watch my favorite episode with me anytime.

It has been a crazy month but just another chapter of our fun road to Grace.